Ok so after about 8 hours of flying from Orlando to Puerto Vallarta, stepping outside into +32 degree weather, and then waiting for the bus to go to the resort from the airport for an hour, it was safe to say I was ready for a cerveza or a nice cold margarita! My mom, brothers girlfriend Megan, my grandma Marg and her boyfriend Nick were waiting for me when I arrived at the resort. I got my stuff settled into the room and then we went exploring around the resort. There were Bengal tigers and all types of birds and parrots around the resort for everyone to see. The beach was beautiful and you could see it stretching around for miles. That night we went across the street to one of the resorts and participated in their all inclusive night. That included a Mexican themed dinner, all drinks, and a dinner show. We all had a great time, especially Megan and I!
The next day was registration for the tournament so I went to the golf course and registered and practiced for a little while. On Tuesday evening the tournament held a kickoff party for the tournament and guests were allowed so I brought my family with me and we had a really good time with some good entertainment and really good food!
The next day I got up early and went to the course to play 9 holes. The course is beautiful with trouble on almost every tee shot. Either there was a water hazard that ran up the length of the hole, or a massive bunker that did the same. I quickly learnt that driving accuracy was going to be key to playing well here. Along with the course being beautiful, there was also wildlife everywhere you looked. A variety of birds, tons of iguana’s, a crocodile and there were more Bengal tigers behind the 17th tee in cages. After playing 9 holes, I worked on my putting for a little bit, and then hurried back to the room so that my family and I could take the water taxi over to Puerto Vallarta. While we were about to get on the taxi, my mom and I got the news that my Grandpa back in Richmond had passed away. It was a tough pill to swallow but we both knew that my Grandpa would have wanted us to take advantage of our time in Mexico and to try and not let the news affect my golf game. The water taxi was about a 30 minute ride on pretty rough waters. The city of Puerto Vallarta was pretty crazy. There are vendors everywhere trying to barter with you to buy their souvenirs and little trinkets, or to come and try their tequila. We walked along the strip on the beach and saw some really cool sand sculptures, paintings, statues, and street performers. We all went for lunch at Senor Frogs which was fun but a little bit crazy! Megan and I also saw either a humpback whale or a very large grey whale breach out of the water which was one of the coolest things I got to see the whole trip! We took the water taxi back to the resort and the water was a little bit rougher this time but all in all it was a good little trip over to PV.
Thursday I went to the golf course to practice and to play the other 9 holes. This 9 was very similar to the other 9 with trouble everywhere. The golf course had 5 par 3’s and 6 par 5’s and the greens were very nice. After practicing we went to the beach and swam in the ocean for a bit and got some sun!
Friday was the first round and I had a morning tee time. I hit the ball so good, hitting every fairway and only missing 3 greens. The putter held me back from shooting a very low score. A few 3 putts here and there and I finished with +2 for the day. I was pretty disappointed with this score because I knew it should have been at least 3 or 4 shots better.
Saturday I had a later tee time. It was a similar story to Friday as I hit the ball great again, but could not putt. I had plenty of birdie opportunities and could not make anything, and then there was the odd 3 putt that would kill me. Finishing with 2 bogeys to shoot +3 I made the cut on the number to be able to play on Sunday and try to make my first pay cheque!
Sunday was the final round and I had one of the last tee times of the day. I was playing pretty good again until the last 3 holes. I was 1 over with 3 holes to go and I double bogeyed the 16th hole with a 3 putt, bogeyed the 17th hole because I missed the green in a bunker, and 3 putted the 18th hole for a bogey to finish off the tournament. Not very happy with that poor finish but I made a little bit of money and couldn’t complain about my ball striking during the tournament because it was a 100% change from the first event in Florida. Now if I can just get my putter going I should be good to go! The tournament was over and I had made my first Futures Tour cut and also first pay cheque which is always a good thing! That night I had a fun time with my family and then had to leave for the airport to fly back to Vancouver.
The week in Mexico overall was great besides the bad news that was received half way through. I would like to thank my Mom, Megan, and Marg and Nick for their support and for making my first time to Mexico a great experience! I played this tournament for my Grandpa Ray and know that he was up there watching every shot and muttering under his breath every time I 3-putted or missed a short putt! Love you Poppers <3
Kirb
The next day was registration for the tournament so I went to the golf course and registered and practiced for a little while. On Tuesday evening the tournament held a kickoff party for the tournament and guests were allowed so I brought my family with me and we had a really good time with some good entertainment and really good food!
The next day I got up early and went to the course to play 9 holes. The course is beautiful with trouble on almost every tee shot. Either there was a water hazard that ran up the length of the hole, or a massive bunker that did the same. I quickly learnt that driving accuracy was going to be key to playing well here. Along with the course being beautiful, there was also wildlife everywhere you looked. A variety of birds, tons of iguana’s, a crocodile and there were more Bengal tigers behind the 17th tee in cages. After playing 9 holes, I worked on my putting for a little bit, and then hurried back to the room so that my family and I could take the water taxi over to Puerto Vallarta. While we were about to get on the taxi, my mom and I got the news that my Grandpa back in Richmond had passed away. It was a tough pill to swallow but we both knew that my Grandpa would have wanted us to take advantage of our time in Mexico and to try and not let the news affect my golf game. The water taxi was about a 30 minute ride on pretty rough waters. The city of Puerto Vallarta was pretty crazy. There are vendors everywhere trying to barter with you to buy their souvenirs and little trinkets, or to come and try their tequila. We walked along the strip on the beach and saw some really cool sand sculptures, paintings, statues, and street performers. We all went for lunch at Senor Frogs which was fun but a little bit crazy! Megan and I also saw either a humpback whale or a very large grey whale breach out of the water which was one of the coolest things I got to see the whole trip! We took the water taxi back to the resort and the water was a little bit rougher this time but all in all it was a good little trip over to PV.
Thursday I went to the golf course to practice and to play the other 9 holes. This 9 was very similar to the other 9 with trouble everywhere. The golf course had 5 par 3’s and 6 par 5’s and the greens were very nice. After practicing we went to the beach and swam in the ocean for a bit and got some sun!
Friday was the first round and I had a morning tee time. I hit the ball so good, hitting every fairway and only missing 3 greens. The putter held me back from shooting a very low score. A few 3 putts here and there and I finished with +2 for the day. I was pretty disappointed with this score because I knew it should have been at least 3 or 4 shots better.
Saturday I had a later tee time. It was a similar story to Friday as I hit the ball great again, but could not putt. I had plenty of birdie opportunities and could not make anything, and then there was the odd 3 putt that would kill me. Finishing with 2 bogeys to shoot +3 I made the cut on the number to be able to play on Sunday and try to make my first pay cheque!
Sunday was the final round and I had one of the last tee times of the day. I was playing pretty good again until the last 3 holes. I was 1 over with 3 holes to go and I double bogeyed the 16th hole with a 3 putt, bogeyed the 17th hole because I missed the green in a bunker, and 3 putted the 18th hole for a bogey to finish off the tournament. Not very happy with that poor finish but I made a little bit of money and couldn’t complain about my ball striking during the tournament because it was a 100% change from the first event in Florida. Now if I can just get my putter going I should be good to go! The tournament was over and I had made my first Futures Tour cut and also first pay cheque which is always a good thing! That night I had a fun time with my family and then had to leave for the airport to fly back to Vancouver.
The week in Mexico overall was great besides the bad news that was received half way through. I would like to thank my Mom, Megan, and Marg and Nick for their support and for making my first time to Mexico a great experience! I played this tournament for my Grandpa Ray and know that he was up there watching every shot and muttering under his breath every time I 3-putted or missed a short putt! Love you Poppers <3
Kirb